WO1997010575A1 - Prepaid rated utility supply controller device - Google Patents

Prepaid rated utility supply controller device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1997010575A1
WO1997010575A1 PCT/BR1996/000035 BR9600035W WO9710575A1 WO 1997010575 A1 WO1997010575 A1 WO 1997010575A1 BR 9600035 W BR9600035 W BR 9600035W WO 9710575 A1 WO9710575 A1 WO 9710575A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
prepaid
controller device
supply controller
rated
magnetic
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/BR1996/000035
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Francisco Mathieu
Sergio Francisco ANTUNES ARAPUÃ
Original Assignee
Francisco Mathieu
Antunes Arapua Sergio Francisc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Francisco Mathieu, Antunes Arapua Sergio Francisc filed Critical Francisco Mathieu
Priority to AU66520/96A priority Critical patent/AU6652096A/en
Publication of WO1997010575A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997010575A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/02—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/12—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
    • G06Q20/127—Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
    • G06Q20/343—Cards including a counter
    • G06Q20/3437—Cards including a counter the counter having non-monetary units, e.g. trips
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F15/00—Coin-freed apparatus with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity
    • G07F15/003—Coin-freed apparatus with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity for electricity
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/0014—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a magnetic device used to control rated utility supply, such as electricity, water, gas, etc; it refers more specifically to a controller device capable of reading a magnetic mean, which permits usage of a prepaid amount of rated utilities.
  • I utility's employees, who physically go to the buildings, read the meter and take note of the amount of electricity already consumed, and then later, issue a bill so that what has been consumed is paid for.
  • the meter reading is a delayed task, which demands the — employee's physical dislocation to the meter, which demands a great number of employees to cover large areas;
  • the rating is subject to many human errors, which can happen during meter reading, during the employee's annotation and during transcription to the bill;
  • the bill must be printed and sent to the consumer's address, subject to deviation, strikes, etc.; - the consumer must pay such bills, going personally to a bank authorized to receive such bill, or authorizing automatic debt from an account that may not have enough funds .
  • the magnetic mean that permits the use of a predetermined amount of electricity is a magnetic card, similar to a credit card.
  • Other possible alternatives are disk, magnetic tape, or any other known technical means that permit electric and/or magnetic signal reading with this intention. - To simplify, any mention related to the magnetic card reported below denotes equaly any other equivalent means .
  • the present invention's operation is as follows: a rating device is installed where electricity is consumed - as described here.
  • the user purchases a prerecorded magnetic card at the utility which, read by the rating device, permits the use of a certain amount of kilowatts/hour. Reaching such value, optionally, the invented device automaticaly interrupts electricity supply.
  • the system is easily automatized to permit, for example, connection to the telephone system to transmit data or consumption;
  • the device can be installed inside the building, avoiding 10- ravaging;
  • Figure 1 annexed to this report shows a prepaid electricity supply device 10, composed of a cabinet 20 that 5- consists of a display 30, a magnetic card reader 40 type 50, and terminals 60 for load line connection.
  • the invented device 10 can comprise a lock mean 55 for the magnetic card.
  • Cabinet 20 has within it a managing electronic - circuit (not illustrated) that registers the amount of electricity correspondent to the prepaid value by the magnetic card and read by reader 40, and according to usage, it deducts the used value.
  • a managing electronic - circuit (not illustrated) that registers the amount of electricity correspondent to the prepaid value by the magnetic card and read by reader 40, and according to usage, it deducts the used value.
  • Display 30 shows the decrease of the re ianing - ammount during use.
  • the managing electronic circuit, - 04 - optionally, interrupts the electricity supply to the consumer's installation.
  • a very illustrative example of usage of the invented device is a beach house. Its owner purchases a - magnetic card from the local utility, and when arriving, inserts the card in the device. During the stay, there is normal electricity supply. At the end of the stay, the magnetic card is taken out, and supply is interruped.

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Beverage Vending Machines With Cups, And Gas Or Electricity Vending Machines (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention is a device that permits usage of a magnetic mean, preferably a magnetic card, purchased from a utility such as electricity. The value paid by the magnetic mean corresponds to a certain amount of rated utility, controlled by the mentioned device, until the amount is consumed, when interruption takes place automatically.

Description

"PREPAID RATED UTILITY SUPPLY CONTROLLER DEVICE".
The present invention refers to a magnetic device used to control rated utility supply, such as electricity, water, gas, etc; it refers more specifically to a controller device capable of reading a magnetic mean, which permits usage of a prepaid amount of rated utilities.
The following text mentions only electricity as an example, but it is understood that the invention applies to correlated cases such as water, gas, telephone, etc.
The electricity supplied by the country's utilities, such as CESP, CPFL, Eletropaulo, among others, performs consumption control by reading meters installed where consumers are. Such meter reading is performed by the
I — utility's employees, who physically go to the buildings, read the meter and take note of the amount of electricity already consumed, and then later, issue a bill so that what has been consumed is paid for.
This system presents some serious
90— i •nconveniences, such as:
- rating concerns electricity already consumed, subject to not being paid by the consumer that has already used the utility;
- the meter reading is a delayed task, which demands the — employee's physical dislocation to the meter, which demands a great number of employees to cover large areas;
- the rating is subject to many human errors, which can happen during meter reading, during the employee's annotation and during transcription to the bill;
- the bill must be printed and sent to the consumer's address, subject to deviation, strikes, etc.; - the consumer must pay such bills, going personally to a bank authorized to receive such bill, or authorizing automatic debt from an account that may not have enough funds .
In view of these inconveniences and aiming to implement a dynamic system more adequate to our present life, a simple and versatile device has been developed that offers advantages for electricity utilities and for - consumers.
It is a device for electricity rating characterized by using a magnetic mean that permits use of a predetermined amount of electricity.
Preferably, the magnetic mean that permits the use of a predetermined amount of electricity is a magnetic card, similar to a credit card. Other possible alternatives are disk, magnetic tape, or any other known technical means that permit electric and/or magnetic signal reading with this intention. - To simplify, any mention related to the magnetic card reported below denotes equaly any other equivalent means .
The present invention's operation is as follows: a rating device is installed where electricity is consumed - as described here. The user purchases a prerecorded magnetic card at the utility which, read by the rating device, permits the use of a certain amount of kilowatts/hour. Reaching such value, optionally, the invented device automaticaly interrupts electricity supply.
The great advantages are clearly observed by using the invented device, among them:
- periodic readings are eliminated at the current meters, economizing public taxes, unnecessary payroll, expenditures with bill postage and contracts with banks; - the utility will receive in advance for electricity supply; - in case of temporary or provisory connections, such as circus, fairs, exhibitions, etc., payment problems will be avoided;
- the consumer will not have to face lines or other 5- disappointments to enjoy the benefits of the service;
- the system is easily automatized to permit, for example, connection to the telephone system to transmit data or consumption;
- the device can be installed inside the building, avoiding 10- ravaging;
- even though the invented device is totally unpublished, its components are easily found on the market, periting cheap utilization.
The following schematic figure illustrates the present invention in more details, using electricity as an example of a rated utility, intentionally without dimensions or determined proportions, without imposing any restriction to other equivalent accomplishments. It is understood that there are many other possible alternatives, 0- with different shapes, but with similar functions and results, therefore included in the invention's purpose, as claimed later.
Figure 1 annexed to this report shows a prepaid electricity supply device 10, composed of a cabinet 20 that 5- consists of a display 30, a magnetic card reader 40 type 50, and terminals 60 for load line connection.
Optionally, the invented device 10 can comprise a lock mean 55 for the magnetic card.
Cabinet 20 has within it a managing electronic - circuit (not illustrated) that registers the amount of electricity correspondent to the prepaid value by the magnetic card and read by reader 40, and according to usage, it deducts the used value.
Display 30 shows the decrease of the re ianing - ammount during use. When the prepaid ammount of electricity is totally consumed, the managing electronic circuit, - 04 - optionally, interrupts the electricity supply to the consumer's installation.
A very illustrative example of usage of the invented device is a beach house. Its owner purchases a - magnetic card from the local utility, and when arriving, inserts the card in the device. During the stay, there is normal electricity supply. At the end of the stay, the magnetic card is taken out, and supply is interruped.
Consume reading, bill issuing or bank lines are not 0- necessary.
As mentioned before, it is clear that the invented device is adequate for other utilities, such as water, gas, telephone, etc.

Claims

1. "PREPAID RATED UTILITY SUPPLY CONTROLLER DEVICE" characterized for using a magnetic mean that permits usage of a prefixed amount of specific supply. - 2. "PREPAID RATED UTILITY SUPPLY CONTROLLER DEVICE" according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the mentioned magnetic mean be chosen within the group composed of magnetic card, disk and magnetic tape.
3. "PREPAID RATED UTILITY SUPPLY CONTROLLER DEVICE" 0- according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the mentioned magnetic mean be preferably a magnetic card (50) .
5. "PREPAID RATED UTILITY SUPPLY CONTROLLER DEVICE" according to claim 3 characterized by the fact of comprising a lock mean (55) for the mantioned magnetic card 5- (50).
6. "PREPAID RATED UTILITY SUPPLY CONTROLLER DEVICE" according to claim 1 characterized by the fact of being equipped with a magnetic card reader (40) and/or display
(30) of the utility's amount supplied. 0- 7. "PREPAID RATED UTILITY SUPPLY CONTROLLER DEVICE" according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the mentioned utility be electricity.
8. "PREPAID RATED UTILITY SUPPLY CONTROLLER DEVICE" according to claim 7 characterized by the fact that the 5- mentioned device being equipped with terminals (60) for load line connection.
9. "PREPAID RATED UTILITY SUPPLY CONTROLLER DEVICE" according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the mentioned utility be water, gas or telephone.
PCT/BR1996/000035 1995-09-14 1996-08-16 Prepaid rated utility supply controller device WO1997010575A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU66520/96A AU6652096A (en) 1995-09-14 1996-08-16 Prepaid rated utility supply controller device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BR9504661A BR9504661A (en) 1995-09-14 1995-09-14 Controlling device for the supply of pre-paid tariffed inputs
BRPI9504661 1995-09-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997010575A1 true WO1997010575A1 (en) 1997-03-20

Family

ID=4062534

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/BR1996/000035 WO1997010575A1 (en) 1995-09-14 1996-08-16 Prepaid rated utility supply controller device

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6652096A (en)
BR (1) BR9504661A (en)
WO (1) WO1997010575A1 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999042963A1 (en) * 1998-02-10 1999-08-26 Whitehead, John, Anthony, Bailie Apparatus for prepayment water management
WO2000062261A1 (en) * 1999-04-13 2000-10-19 Manufacture D'appareillage Electrique De Cahors Regourd Terminal method and system for managing monetary transactions and supply of services
GB2349972A (en) * 1999-05-08 2000-11-15 Siemens Metering Ltd Prepayment method for a gas or electricity supply
NL1013568C2 (en) * 1999-11-12 2001-05-15 Egbert Age Johannes Bouwhuis System for the certified use of firstly generated electrical energy.
FR2834408A1 (en) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-04 Roiret Entpr S ELECTRONIC INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF PRODUCT (S) AND / OR SERVICE (S) IN NETWORK (X).
US8238613B2 (en) 2003-10-14 2012-08-07 Thomson Licensing Technique for bit-accurate film grain simulation

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4162530A (en) * 1976-12-21 1979-07-24 Nihon Vending Machine Co., Ltd. Automatic energy supply systems of the multi-rate calculating type
GB2191883A (en) * 1986-06-16 1987-12-23 Schlumberger Electronics Electronic token
EP0250202A2 (en) * 1986-06-16 1987-12-23 Schlumberger Industries Limited Commodity metering system
US4777354A (en) * 1986-01-27 1988-10-11 Barry Thomas System for controlling the supply of utility services to consumers
GB2220975A (en) * 1988-07-12 1990-01-24 Welsh Water Authority Water metering system
GB2236422A (en) * 1989-09-29 1991-04-03 Gen Electric Co Plc Pre-payment token for supply of a commodity
US5046157A (en) * 1988-02-03 1991-09-03 Smith Stephen W Time control device for appliances
US5146067A (en) * 1990-01-12 1992-09-08 Cic Systems, Inc. Prepayment metering system using encoded purchase cards from multiple locations
WO1993022743A1 (en) * 1992-05-07 1993-11-11 Ampy Automation - Digilog Limited Encoding of machine readable cards and secure systems
EP0576276A1 (en) * 1992-06-26 1993-12-29 Schlumberger Industries Limited Prepayment water supply system

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4162530A (en) * 1976-12-21 1979-07-24 Nihon Vending Machine Co., Ltd. Automatic energy supply systems of the multi-rate calculating type
US4777354A (en) * 1986-01-27 1988-10-11 Barry Thomas System for controlling the supply of utility services to consumers
GB2191883A (en) * 1986-06-16 1987-12-23 Schlumberger Electronics Electronic token
EP0250202A2 (en) * 1986-06-16 1987-12-23 Schlumberger Industries Limited Commodity metering system
US5046157A (en) * 1988-02-03 1991-09-03 Smith Stephen W Time control device for appliances
GB2220975A (en) * 1988-07-12 1990-01-24 Welsh Water Authority Water metering system
GB2236422A (en) * 1989-09-29 1991-04-03 Gen Electric Co Plc Pre-payment token for supply of a commodity
US5146067A (en) * 1990-01-12 1992-09-08 Cic Systems, Inc. Prepayment metering system using encoded purchase cards from multiple locations
WO1993022743A1 (en) * 1992-05-07 1993-11-11 Ampy Automation - Digilog Limited Encoding of machine readable cards and secure systems
EP0576276A1 (en) * 1992-06-26 1993-12-29 Schlumberger Industries Limited Prepayment water supply system

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999042963A1 (en) * 1998-02-10 1999-08-26 Whitehead, John, Anthony, Bailie Apparatus for prepayment water management
WO2000062261A1 (en) * 1999-04-13 2000-10-19 Manufacture D'appareillage Electrique De Cahors Regourd Terminal method and system for managing monetary transactions and supply of services
FR2792442A1 (en) * 1999-04-13 2000-10-20 Cahors App Elec TERMINAL, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING MONETARY TRANSACTIONS AND PROVIDING SERVICE
GB2349972A (en) * 1999-05-08 2000-11-15 Siemens Metering Ltd Prepayment method for a gas or electricity supply
GB2349972B (en) * 1999-05-08 2003-07-16 Siemens Metering Ltd Method and apparatus for purchasing energy
NL1013568C2 (en) * 1999-11-12 2001-05-15 Egbert Age Johannes Bouwhuis System for the certified use of firstly generated electrical energy.
WO2001035351A1 (en) * 1999-11-12 2001-05-17 Egbert Age Johannes Bouwhuis System for certified use of electrical energy
US6950730B1 (en) 1999-11-12 2005-09-27 Bouwhuis Egbert A J System for certified use of electrical energy
FR2834408A1 (en) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-04 Roiret Entpr S ELECTRONIC INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF PRODUCT (S) AND / OR SERVICE (S) IN NETWORK (X).
WO2003060840A1 (en) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-24 Roiret Entreprises S.A. Electronic system for data management and product and/or service distribution over network(s)
US8238613B2 (en) 2003-10-14 2012-08-07 Thomson Licensing Technique for bit-accurate film grain simulation

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU6652096A (en) 1997-04-01
BR9504661A (en) 1997-10-07

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